Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is the backbone of many medium-sized companies. But in combination with the Power Platform – consisting of Power Apps, Power Automate and Power BI – a solid ERP becomes a highly flexible, modern system that automates processes, makes data intelligently usable and raises the user experience to a new level.

In this article, we show how the individual components of the Power Platform work together in a targeted way – from mobile data capture and automated approvals to data-based analyses – and how companies can save time, money and stress.

The Power Platform at a glance

1. power apps – customised apps for every business situation

Power Apps is a low-code environment that companies can use to create customised business applications – without traditional development effort. The apps can be fully integrated into Business Central and are available on mobile devices, tablets and desktops.

Possible applications:
– Digital forms for on the go
– Recording of project times, e.g. via CX Time, travel expenses or construction site data
– Access to Business Central data in a simplified, role-based interface

The recorded data is either transmitted directly to Business Central or stored temporarily via Dataverse.

2. power automate – automate processes intelligently

Power Automate is used to create workflows that perform repetitive tasks automatically. Processes can be controlled, data exchanged between systems and notifications sent without a single line of code.

Examples of automation:
– Approval processes (e.g. holiday requests, approval of working hours)
– Automatic import/export of data from Excel, SharePoint or Outlook
– Escalation workflows in the event of missing feedback

Thanks to the deep integration with Business Central, bookings, checking processes and data changes can be triggered automatically – completely transparently and traceably.

3. power BI – understand data, make informed decisions

Power BI transforms data from Business Central and other sources into visual, interactive dashboards and reports. Users gain real-time insights into operational processes, recognise patterns and deviations and make better decisions.

Advantages:
– Real-time analyses from various data sources (e.g. project status, costs, sales development)
– Drill down to document level
– Can be shared with different teams and roles
– Can be embedded directly in Business Central, Microsoft Teams or your own apps

With Power BI, Business Central becomes a strategic platform.

The interaction – real added value

Conclusion: Practical, flexible, scalable

The Power Platform is not an abstract “technology platform”, but a real productivity booster for SMEs. The combination of Power Apps, Power Automate and Power BI can achieve tangible efficiency gains, especially in industries with a high level of coordination – such as construction, project services or facility management.

Companies that use Business Central can create customised extensions with little effort – and thus work faster, more transparently and more intelligently.